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A family where everyone is welcome.

We are a team of eight churches located close to the beautiful Suffolk coast around the town of Southwold and the River Blyth.

Whilst our ancient buildings are stunning (as you can see), we are about people, not property! So whether you are a follower of Jesus, are looking for answers to some of life’s big questions, seeking to make new friends, celebrate a major life event, or simply wanting to be still and reflect, the Sole Bay Churches welcome all people (absolutely no exceptions). We will be only too happy to support you as we journey through life together.

You are welcome!

Services

We run a wide range of services across the eight churches in the ministry. From Eucharist to Common Worship services we have something to support you on your faith journey .To view a full calendar of everything we have to offer please click the button below.

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Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

Our parish churches are available for weddings, baptism and funerals. For more information on this please click the button below.

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Meet the Team

Click below to view the different members that make up the Sole Bay Team Ministry.

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  • Bishop Joanne - Palm Sunday 29th March

    We are delighted that Bishop Joanne will be taking our Palm Sunday Team Service at 10.30am in St Edmund's. Please do come and join us.

    She will then attend Holy Trinity in the afternoon to bless their new facilities in the tower. There will a short ceremony at 2.30pm, followed by afternoon tea, and we hope there will also be bellringing from the new ringing floor. Everyone is very welcome to join us to celebrate the completion of this important project.

  • 24 Hours of Prayer

    The team is so grateful to all of those who prayed during the event last weekend. Whether you joined us in person or remotely, we had the most incredible sense that God was with us. The final worship was concluded by some very wise words: we came looking for strategy, plans and direction but instead we got to witness God's glory! And what He revealed to us (like in Job: 42) is that we can put those things aside because for now our focus should be on God's greatness, love and care for us and trust that 'He has this!" Amen! 

     

  • Holy Trinity's cafe and mini market

    Holy Trinity Church's cafe and mini market returns from its winter break on Friday 27 March, 10.30am to noon. 

    Come along to enjoy fairly traded coffee/tea and home-made cake and to browse the stalls.

  • Lent lunches.

    These are being held on the 4 Fridays of March at the Cardinal Newman Hall from 12-30-2.00pm. All are welcome, we look forward to seeing you there.

  • Bellringing Taster Session

    We are also holding a Bell ringing Taster Session for those interested in learning to ring, on Sat 21st March at 10am. Please come along and find out more.

  • Ambulances to Ukraine Concert

    Ambulances to Ukraine – Come and Sing Messiah 6th April 2026

    Rehearsal 205pm, concert 6-8pm.

    For further information and to sign up to sing or listen please contact Alistair:alistairpbamford@aol.com or Janee: janee@spunyarns.co.uk

  • Reydon and Southwold Community lunch.

    The next lunch will run on April 15th from 12-2pm at the Stella Peskett Memorial Hall. Cost of the lunch is £10 pp. To book a place please contact Ann Clark on 07887901027. Transport can be arranged for anyone who is unable to get there themselves.

  • Living Faith - Basics

    We are offering a condensed version of the Living Faith Basics course for people who are involved in, or considering, any kind of ministry, whether local (e.g. Lay Elder ministry) or national (e.g. Reader ministry or ordination), as well as those interested in looking more deeply at expressing their faith. 4 modules will be covered over the 2 mornings: Being Disciples, Being Called, Working Together and Sustaining Ministry.

    Tuesday 21st April and Saturday 25th April, 9.30am - 1.30pm. Location: The Vicarage in Southwold.

  • START course begins Wednesday 22nd April 

    Want to know more about being a Christian? Do you know anyone who has questions about God? The START course is perfect. 6 Wednesday evenings, starting on 22nd April, 6.45pm at The Vicarage for a meal, learning, chat and community. 

    See our website page for more info and to sign up

  • Live Streaming Services

    Services are live streamed from St Margaret's the first and third Sunday of the month. The service can be watched via their YouTube channel. Just search for St Margaret, Reydon and subscribe for free to easily find the link each time you join our worship.

  • Clergy on Call - Fridays

    Should you need to contact a member of the clergy team on a Friday (rest day), please contact Amanda Savory, Team Administrator.

    Amanda will be able to direct you to a member of the clergy team.

  • Food bank

    Thank you all for your support for the Sole Bay Foodbank. Donations can be made at our churches in Southwold, Blythburgh, Wangford, or the shop in Walberswick. If anyone is aware of someone in need who would benefit from a food parcel, please encourage them to contact Lowestoft Foodbank phone 07307866146 or email info @lowestoft.foodbank.org.uk

Safeguarding Introduction

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole church. Everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.

Safeguarding is an integral part of the mission and ministry of the church in this diocese and is in line with our Growing in God strategy. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

It is our policy to:

·     Promote a safer environment and culture;

·     Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility relating those groups who are at increased risk of harm or abuse within the church;

·     Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation

·     Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons;

·     Care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons;

·     Respond to those who may pose a present risk to others.

 

In order to fulfil the above policy we will provide facilities to complete online DBS applications and to provide appropriate levels of safeguarding training in order to raise awareness and create an atmosphere of ‘informed vigilance’.

The diocese works collaboratively with: Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board, Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board and Suffolk Police Public Protection.

If a child or adult is at risk of immediate harm, call 999 now. 

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